M*A*S*H Rewatch: Season 8

Throughout 2025, I will rewatch M*A*S*H and review each season on the final day of each month. I am rewatching the episodes in broadcast order using the DVDs from the 2000s with the laugh track left on. You can find an archive of these rewatch posts here.

Season eight turned out to be a milestone seasons for M*A*S*H. It was the season in which we saw Radar leave, the characters continued to grow, there was an impressive group of guest stars, and it was the last season to have at least 24 episodes. As I have rewatched M*A*S*H this year, I have noticed that each season tends to have a theme. Some are obvious as in season four when the writers introduced B.J. Hunnicutt and Col. Potter. However, as the seasons went on, I wondered whether I would struggle to find similar themes. For season eight, the themes of the season weren’t clear to me until I finished the season and had a few days to think about it. Radar left fairly early in the season, so Klinger growing into his role as company clerk is an obvious theme, but I think I found one overarching theme of the season that was very interesting. There are several episodes where the doctors are bored because there was a lull in the war. Since they weren’t getting any wounded, they had to find things to do in their spare time. Even when there were wounded, it was rarely the primary focus of the episode. Instead, this season focused more on the interpersonal relationships and the growth of the characters. By the end, I was, once again, pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed M*A*S*H season eight.

Season 8 Episode List

Episodes are listed in broadcast order. Hyperlinks direct to “Script Spotlight” posts for that episode.

Episode #	Season X Episode	Episode Title
170	08×01	Too Many Cooks
171	08×02	Are You Now, Margaret?
172	08×03	Guerrilla My Dreams
173	08×04	Good-Bye, Radar (Part 1)
174	08×05	Good-Bye, Radar (Part 2)
175	08×06	Period of Adjustment
176	08×07	Nurse Doctor
177	08×08	Private Finance
178	08×09	Mr. and Mrs. Who?
179	08×10	The Yalu Brick Road
180	08×11	Life Time
181	08×12	Dear Uncle Abdul
182	08×13	Captains Outrageous
183	08×14	Stars and Stripes
184	08×15	Yessir, That’s Our Baby
185	08×16	Bottle Fatigue
186	08×17	Heal Thyself
187	08×18	Old Soldiers
188	08×19	Morale Victory
189	08×20	Lend a Hand
190	08×21	Goodbye, Cruel World
191	08×22	Dreams
192	08×23	War Co-Respondent
193	08×24	Back Pay
194	08×25	April Fools

Favorite Episodes

These are the top episodes of the season that I believe contribute something important to the series as a whole. The episodes are listed in the order in which they aired.

• “Goodbye, Radar (Parts 1 & 2)” (08×04 & 08×05) – This is a classic two parter that said farewell to one of the show’s most popular characters. It was sad to see Radar go, but he had been in the series less often for the last two seasons. The way the writers handled his farewell is respectful. It is plausible that Radar would have to go home to take care of his family’s farm after the death of his Uncle Ed. It’s a shame that Radar doesn’t get his farewell party, but the arrival of wounded felt authentic to a MASH unit as well. My only issue with these two episodes is Gary Burghoff’s acting choices. Radar’s character became more naive as the series progressed, but in “Goodbye, Radar,” he played Radar angry and with a level of contempt that felt out of character. It’s hard to portray anger in a way that is sympathetic, and it felt out of place. (M*A*S*H Matters podcast interviewed writes Ken Levine and David Isaacs about this episode specifically, and they confirmed Burghoff chose to act differently in this episode.)
• “Period of Adjustment” (08×06) – There were several characters changes in M*A*S*H before Radar left in season eight, but we never saw the adjustment period. Season four does a pretty good job of introducing the new characters, but it felt like weeks had gone by after Henry’s death instead of days. In this episode, the impression is given that Radar has only been gone for a week or two at most. It is understandable that Klinger would be struggling. I empathize with B.J. in this episode. Mike Farrell and Jamie Farr both do very well.
• “Mr. And Mrs. Who?” (08×09) – Finally, a well balanced episode of M*A*S*H! It seemed like it has been a few seasons since there was an episode that felt like it successfully paired dramatic and comedic storylines. There are good storylines that were either comedic or dramatic, but “Mr. And Mrs. Who?” pairs the great storyline of a drunken Charles thinking he got married in Tokyo with the more dramatic themed storyline of hemorrhagic fever.
• “Life Time” (08×11) – While this episode is all dramatic, the tension of the episode taking place in real time was very clever. M*A*S*H experimented with different styles later in its run, and I think “Life Time” succeeded in showing the real time pressure faced by doctors and nurses in a MASH unit.
• “Yessir, That’s Our Baby” (08×15) – This episode is often cited as a fan favorite, and I can see why. Seeing everyone care for the baby is very touching. But the episode also highlighted the threats toward Amerasian babies. The threat to Amerasian children persisted after the Korean War, and Alan Alda’s book, The Last Days of M*A*S*H, benefited the Pearl S. Buck Foundation. The foundation worked for the benefit of Amerasian children in Korea, Okinawa, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand.
• “Heal Thyself” (08×17) – While another dramatic storyline, the episode is so well written in how we see Captain Newsome suffering from the effects of his experience in combat. It speaks to the horrors of war, and the brutality of the Pusan Perimeter. The talent of Edward Hermann in this episode is Emmy worthy.
• “Old Soldiers” (08×18) – Harry Morgan was a fantastic actor, and “Old Soldiers” proves it. The scene of Potter in his office listening to the records with the Korean boy is touching. But the scene of Potter toasting his war buddies in his tent is one of his best in the entire series.
• “Goodbye, Cruel World” (08×21) – While the B-story in this episode isn’t the best, the performance of Clyde Kusatsu as Sergeant Yee is so well done. This wasn’t Kusatsu’s first appearance in M*A*S*H. You might also recognize him Kwang Duk in “Officers Only” (02×15) and “Henry in Love” (02×16). I am glad they got him out from behind the bar! Plus, we get a visit from Sidney as an added bonus.
• “Dreams” (08×22) – I know this is a controversial episode in the M*A*S*H community. Love it or hate it, they tried something different that got people talking! I do think that if I had seen this episode as a young kid, it would have terrified me. So maybe since I didn’t see it until I was a teenager, it didn’t affect me as much?
• “War Co-Respondent” (08×23) – Speaking of guest stars, how about Susan St. James? While Hawkeye is kind of annoying in this episode, I find its premise plausible. The scenes between St. James and Farrell are very well acted, and their chemistry on screen felt real. Hawkeye’s advice to B.J. about war bringing unlikely people together who wouldn’t otherwise have anything else in common other than the war is a very smart point. (If you haven’t listened to the table read of this episode on M*A*S*H Matters, you really should!)

Least Favorite Episodes

Liking or disliking an episode is subjective, so I have tried to be fair in my criticism of why certain episodes are not my favorites. The episodes are listed in the order in which they aired.

• “Dear Uncle Abdul” (08×12) – I have said many times that I love the “Dear home…” episodes. But this one is the weakest of them. Farr got the short end of the stick in this episode with only a few voiceovers. His letter does not drive the episode like the other “Dear home…” episodes do. And I’m sorry, but I agree with Margaret that the “bird imitations” joke is stupid!
• “Lend a Hand” (08×20) – I don’t understand why they changed Dr. Borelli’s personality so much. I really liked what he said to Hawkeye at the end of “The Consultant” (03×17), and this doesn’t feel like the same character. It was great seeing Robert Alda again, and I like that they included Antony Alda, but they could have kept the tension between Borelli and Hawkeye without making Borelli so pushy.
• “Back Pay” (08×24) – This episode pushes Hawkeye to be unlikable. He gets so obsessed with the doctor who is making $5 per x-ray that he thinks he can bill the Army for $38,215.11. He is lucky that he wasn’t court-martialed. Besides, we saw how easy it was for Radar to get money for Hawkeye in “Payday” (03×22). Yes, they took the money back, but he didn’t want the $3,000 that Radar got for him then! Also, was Captain Snyder going to beat the crap out of Hawkeye before he kicked the bag of x-rays?? The episode’s resolution does not match Hawkeye’s initial rage.

Continuity Errors

There are minor issues in every episode that have been well documented, so I am choosing to focus on ones that really stand out to me.

• “Too Many Cooks” (08×01) – Where did they get real plates? Since season two, they’ve only used Army trays.
• “Guerilla My Dreams” (08×03) – The calls to Radar in these episodes do a great job of teeing up his farewell, but did everything in the first three episodes happen in the two weeks Radar was on R&R?
• “Goodbye, Radar (Part 1)” (08×04) – Col. Potter said that he receive a wire about Radar’s Uncle Ed passing away. Who received the wire? Wouldn’t Radar have received the wire and then given it to Col. Potter?
• “Goodbye, Radar (Part 2)” (08×05) – Radar can be so angry, but still can’t drink? As I mentioned above, the two Radar’s don’t fit this episode.
• “Nurse Doctor” (08×07) – Margaret makes a comment about Gail not getting along with her coworkers. Well, Margaret hasn’t always been the best at that either!
• “Nurse Doctor” (08×07) – I’ve caught this before, but I think this the last time Father Mulcahy’s name changes. It is officially “Francis John Patrick Mulcahy.” The names get rearranged!
• “Private Finance” (08×08) – It only took a week to get a letter back from Hasting’s parents? The mail can’t even deliver that fast domestically today!
• “Life Time” (08×11) – In “None Like it Hot” (07×06), Hawkeye and B.J. trade their bathtub for ice cream. Why do they still have it?
• “Dear Uncle Abdul” (08×12) – The Officer’s Club has been rearranged, and the bar is under the “M*A*S*H 4077th” sign.
• “Captains Outrageous” (08×13) – This was almost a mistake. I noted that Rizzo gets a Dear John letter from someone else since we later know his wife’s name is Zola. However, G. W. Bailey is not credited as Rizzo in this episode, but he is credited as “G.I.”
• “Stars and Stripes” (08×14) – A new arrangement for the Officer’s Club as the piano is now under the “M*A*S*H 4077th” sign instead of by the door. (Maybe they were rearranging the club to combat their boredom?)
• “Yessir, That’s Our Baby” (08×15) – M*A*S*H Timeline: Truman’s photo is on the wall in the Red Cross office and General MacArthur is mentioned. MacArthur was relieved of duty in April 1951. Col. Potter didn’t arrive until September 1952.
• “Bottle Fatigue” (08×16) – Charles’ sister was married in season six. Now, she isn’t?
• “Old Soldiers” (08×18) – This is a great episode! But there is one thing that always bothers me in TV shows. Conversations that clearly happen within earshot of other characters. I find it impossible to believe that Col. Potter couldn’t hear them outside his tent talking about who is going to knock first?
• “Morale Victory” (08×19) – When Hawkeye and B.J. are made morale officers, everyone brings them orders for supplies. Is that part of the morale officer’s job?
• “Lend a Hand” (08×20) – M*A*S*H Timeline: It is mentioned that it is January, so what year is this? It has to be 1953!
• “Goodbye, Cruel World” (08×21) – Klinger had a tent to himself before he was clerk, so why not just let him keep that to decorate as he chooses? He has to be keeping all of the dresses he still has somewhere!
• “Goodbye, Cruel World” (08×21) – Col. Potter signs Klinger’s 3-day pass in pencil??
• “Back Pay” (08×24) – Col. Potter says that Charles is their chest expert, but it is well established that Hawkeye is also a thoracic surgeon.
• “April Fools” (08×25) – M*A*S*H Timeline: Is it now March/April 1953??

Season 8 Wrap-Up

As I mentioned in the introduction, I was pleasantly surprised by M*A*S*H season eight. There was less emphasis on the operating room, and more of an emphasis on individual stories of the main characters and the wounded. There was a string of episodes in which the fighting ceased, so the doctors were bored. This led to some friction between several characters, but it also allowed for character growth among the main cast. Season eight also featured a number of prominent guest stars. Some of whom were already famous, and others would go on to have long, successful careers. By the end of the season, I found several key themes in season eight including character growth for just about every cast member, the members of the 4077th struggling to deal with the lull in the fighting, and the incredible acting by guest stars.

M*A*S*H never shied away from allowing its characters to grow or change in the later seasons. By season eight, the writers had learned hard lessons with characters such as Trapper and Frank Burns who either weren’t allowed to develop enough or developed to a point that there was no return from what the character had become. Season eight offered several opportunities for each character to explore new avenues, and the most obvious from the season was Klinger. After Radar’s exit, Klinger is given the responsibility of being company clerk, and the Section 8 dodges largely go away. He has a more serious job, and we initially see him struggle to take on that role. However, by the end of the season, he had settled in. Klinger wasn’t the only character to grow. Margaret grew not only as an officer and nurse, but as a woman when she realized that what she expected out of a relationship was just as important. Her conversation with Scully in “Stars and Stripes” is very well written and expertly acted. B.J.’s personality as a practical joker was explored further, and his loyalty to his wife was tested in “War Co-Respondant.” Charles loosens up some. We see him drunk several times (which is hilarious), and he more social with the members of the 4077th. Father Mulcahy is promoted to captain, a rank he fully deserved! In “Yessir, That’s Our Baby,” we see all of the characters’ softer side. And, of course, no season eight wrap-up would be complete without mentioning the fantastic scene when Col. Potter toasts his World War I buddies in “Old Soldiers.” It offered a glimpse into how much of his life Potter had dedicated to the Army.

The character growth and interpersonal storylines of the season are possible because of the lull in the fighting. This season eight theme seems to begin almost immediately in “Too Many Cooks,” and it is specifically mentioned in several episodes including “Captains Outrageous,” when they work in Rosie’s Bar, and “Stars and Stripes.” There are hints of it in other episodes including “Old Soldiers” and “Lend a Hand.” It makes sense because the number of times we see the gang in O.R. this season is probably the lowest of the series. I haven’t quantified that, of course, but there are episodes this season where we never see them operate. A few seasons ago, every episode opened in the O.R. I think this was in part due to the fact that the writers wanted to explore more of the personal relationships. Despite the lull in the fighting, we still get an emphasis on the wounded. Episodes such as “Life Time,” “Morale Victory,” and “Goodbye, Cruel World” are great examples of storylines that are driven by a single wounded soldier.

Then, there are the guest starts. M*A*S*H has had its fair share of guest stars up to season eight. Ron Howard appeared in season one (“Sometimes You Hear the Bullet” (01×17)), John Ritter in season two (“Deal Me Out” (02×13)), Pat Morita in season three (“Deal Me Out” and “The Choson People” (02×19)), Blythe Danner in season four (“The More I See You” (04×22)), and countless others. Even if there are were five well known guest stars in a season, that would be incredible, but this season had quite the lineup! The guest cast for season eight included Ed Begley, Jr., Howard Platt, Shelley Long, Susan St. James, Clyde Kusatsu, Edward Hermann, Pat Hingle, Robert Alda, and Antony Alda. And these actors didn’t just make passing appearances. They were each central to a plot points in their respective episodes. I believe that this is evidence of how popular the show had become by season eight. There were guest stars eager to appear on the show.

After completing season eight, I realized that it was the last season to have a typical run of at least 24 episodes. Seasons nine through eleven are shorter, and so, as we roll in to September tomorrow, I know I am reaching the conclusion of my M*A*S*H rewatch in 2025. It is a little bittersweet since I have looked forward to watching two episodes most evenings and getting reacquainted with the series that I have loved since I was a kid. After watching 2/3 of the series, I can honestly say that I think I like M*A*S*H even more now than I thought I did before. As an adult, I am discovering new aspects of the show that I didn’t catch when I was younger. There is one factor that I think makes M*A*S*H successful: consistency. Even as the cast members changed, the characters grew, and circumstances changed, M*A*S*H remained the same at its core. It showed the human cost of war through the eyes of the men and women of the 4077th. It portrayed the human relationships that were formed as a result of the war. M*A*S*H was the first show about war to find that balance. War can be darkly funny and bring people together in ways that are unexpected while being horrific and unnecessary. As with many things in history, multiple things can be true that are seemingly in opposition. I will start season nine soon, and I am looking forward to seeing whether that balance can be held through “Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen.”